IF YOU’VE got melamine furniture that’s seen better days, don’t just throw it away! Paint it to give it a new look and lease of life.

Many people think you can’t paint melamine, but you can!

Providing you prepare and prime it properly, there’s no reason why your paintwork shouldn’t stay looking good for years to come.

It’s a job for spring or summer as you can do it outside if the weather’s nice and the furniture is easy to move.

Start by giving the melamine a good clean with sugar soap solution. When it’s dry, sand it thoroughly, wipe clean then wait for it to dry. Sanding helps the paint stick as a roughened surface gives the paint something to grip on to.

When you’re ready to paint, start with a special melamine primer.

Melamine is often shiny, so it’s vital to use the right primer and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

You can also get topcoats designed specifically for melamine, but if there isn’t a colour you like, normal wood/ metal paints (satinwood, gloss, eggshell, etc) will do.

Go for a quick-drying one if you can.

Apply your topcoat once the primer is completely dry.

It’s a good idea to apply both primer and topcoat with a gloss roller, rather than a paintbrush, as you’ll get a smoother, more professional finish.

Between coats, check your paintwork. Dust and debris tends to stick to wet paint, especially outdoors, so lightly sand between coats (and wipe clean) to get rid of anything spoiling the finish. When the last coat of paint is dry, fit new handles (if necessary) to complete the transformation.